No comments about Defining Memory: Local Museums and the Construction of History in America's Changing Communities (American Association for State and Local History Book Series).

4 comments about Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments: A Warman's Companion (Warmans Companion).

1. I gave this book to my husband, the Roseville collector of the family, for Christmas. He spent several happy hours looking through it. The pictures are great, but there are not enough of them. This is not the be all, end all book for Roseville, but so far it's the best one I have seen.



2. I was very satisfied with the book I received. I received it in a few days as promised and I really liked that.



3. Book was very helpful in finding out about Roseville pottery, I would recommend, pictures are very good also. Gives lots of info.



4. July 5th 2007. Another "overview" book from Warman's. It states updated prices, but there are only prices for what is shown. I'm not sure how useful updated prices would be when you need a price on a piece not included in the book. There are some Roseville lines that are not included.
   
   On the other hand, the photography is the best. The colors and details are amazing, which would make it a great coffee table book or gift.
   
   For collectors; The Bomm book (2004), Mollring's 11th edition book (2006)(B&W pics only), Bassett's Prices book, Bassett's Introducing book and Bassett's Understanding book are the most comprehensive.

5 comments about Encyclopedia of American Farm: Implements & Antiques.

1. This is a great read for anyone interested in old farm equipment. The only problem was that I recognized too many of the pieces from my childhood and started realizing how old I am.



2. C. H. Wendel's Encyclopedia of American Farm Implements & Antiques is a first-rate work. The illustrations are exceptional, and the scope impressive. Wendel documents the machinery of manufacturing giants and the lesser-known manufacturers from the middle nineteenth century to the middle twentieth century. If you need to identify a machine or manufacturer Wendel's book ought to be your first source.



3. I bought this book as a gift for my father, who collects antique farm tools and tractors, has done his own restorations, and goes to antique shows all the time. I have no higher praise than this: when he settles in for the night, he gets in his favorite chair and opens that book. He may read it for hours, or browse a few pages, but it's his favorite reading material.



4. Once again, Charles Wendel shows that he is the undisputed master author of obscure antique farm implements and tractors.Wendel shows old sales brochure engravings of everything from hog oilers to corn shellers and hay loft pulleys. From feed grinders to hay tedders, and EVERYTHING in between.A MUST READ if you want a guide to antique farm implements from the 1800's through the 1950's.



5. It's hard to find info on old farm machinery. I especially liked the close-up illustrations of wooden windmills

1 comments about Once Upon a Quilt: A Scrapbook of Quilting Past and Present.

1. Compiled and edited quilting expert Margret Aldrich, Once Upon A Quilt: A Scrapbook Of Quilting Past And Present shares with quilting enthusiasts an impressively eclectic variety of engaging stories about many quilts past and present. Full-color photographs and artwork wonderfully illustrate this engaging discourse on the history of quilting in America, and features something for everyone who enjoys learning about, making, or admiring quilts. A foundational work and a joy to share, Once Upon A Quilt is an enthusiastically recommended addition to any personal or community library Needlecraft reference collection or reading list.

No comments about Country Arts in Early American Homes.

5 comments about Vintage Quilts: Identifying, Collecting, Dating, Preserving & Valuing.

1. This is a quality reference for quilts from the period. But, it only provides a brief description and photo of each quilt. It will not tell you how determine the value of a quilt.



2. I purchased this book because I own several quilts that I have picked up over the years and wanted to figure out dates and get an idea of how to go about valuing them. While the title of this book suggests this is a possibility a mere page and a half are devoted to identification, dating, pricing, care and storage. The remainder of the book is a catalogue of their collection and while they own some lovely quilts I was not interested in a coffee table book but rather one that provided some real data.
   
   There are lovely photographs of more than 100 quilts and if you want to browse through a lovely collection, this is a nice book, though there are better for this as well. If you are looking for information on valuing your own quilts, this book will get you no closer.



3. I've debated commenting about this book for almost a year now, and now that I have heard there is to be a sequel feel that I can't hold back. In good conscience I cannot recommend this effort to anyone. Such authors who claim to have so much experience should have been able to expound and give reasons for their value conclusions. Unfortunately, those who are unaware do not know the reputation of the authors is very misleading; those with the experience they say they have would have known better. Save your money -



4. I bought it with great expectations, I read it in dismay, I was disappointed with the lack of information. It's nothing more than a printed format for the author's collection of quilts, with no relationship to what's really "out there"....yikes, my educated guesses would make better reading! I had it a week, and then gave it away to someone who likes looking at pictures.



5. Great photos - nice quilts. That is, unfortunately all I can say good about the book, and there are a lot of better buys out there with nice quilt photos. These self-appointed "experts" have added little to the body of available information on vintage quilts. If these three are appraising quilts then I wonder about the program that sponsors them due to the fact that book is full of inaccuracies. Discussion on how they arrived at the values (and many are questionable) is lacking which would be nice seeing that is their area of "expertise". It is almost like they pulled the numbers from a hat. The book does little to promote the credibility of the author's and certainly isn't the publisher's best effort, it's just a pretty price guide that unfortunately like all price guides was out of date the day it was released.

1 comments about Roadside Americana (Enthusiast Color).

1. There is a disguise to this volume, a new title for a compendium of three books originally published by Motorbooks International (MBI), under its corporate pseudonym, Crestline. While each of the trio is worthy in its own right: Michael Karl Witzel's ""Gas Station Memories" (1994) and "Drive-In Deluxe" (1997); plus Tim Steil's rendering of "Route 66" (2000) -- pictures by Jim Luning now appear uncredited --- there is no advance notice offered by amazon.com that this is NOT new material. That is the caveat for those who might already own any of all of the original publications and are fooled by the revamped moniker. However (and this is why I offer 5-stars), the encompassment is a great value as an introduction toward the heritage of The Great American Roaside for newcomers to the genre. The sub-title, 'Gas-Food-Lodging' is meritous for its depictions of the first two topics, but leaves much to be desired on the latter: the only motels featured are along Old Route 66 in Mr. Steil's reprint, and even there, they are few and far bewteen (such is reality). Since I purchased this single-bound set sight-unseen, and already owned each of the indvidual photo/texts, I intend to award my copy of this book to a friend as a Christmas present.

3 comments about Gear Up!: Flight Clothing & Equipment of Usaaf Airmen in World War II (Schiffer Military/Aviation History).

1. This is a great book. It contains many high-quality photographs, and provides a good overview of the many types and variations of gear the AAF used. An excellent value.



2. A great collectors guide. Plenty of clear pictures giving a good coverage of WW2 aviation items. Additional text isn't extensive or going into much detail. No stich counting as such on A-2 jackets, that kind of information must be found in other books like "Hell bent for leather" or other flight gear books. The wonderfull photo's are the strong point of this book and personaly I was waiting for such a book for a long time.



3. There are at least a couple of books devoted to the subject of WWII combat flight gear. Taking nothing away from the others, Gear Up! is a superb reference. Every page is crammed with excellent quality photographs, both period and recent, most in full color depicting the authentic gear in use and on display. The depth of coverage obviously reflects the author's enthusiasm for the subject: sixty pages on head gear alone--from helmets to sunglasses, fortyfive pages on jackets and trousers, chapters on gloves, footwear, paper items, flak armor, ground crew gear...very little is overlooked.

   This is a pictorial history. The text is limited and is not intended to be an exhaustive treatise on the innumerable variations of individual items of gear. But, anyone with an interest in WWII aerial warfare will not be disappointed with this fine reference.

1 comments about Classical Norfolk Furniture: 1810 - 1840.

1. Finely detailed in research and detailed photos of an oten overlooked period of American furniture.

3 comments about Warman's Zippo Lighters Field Guide: Values And Identification (Warman's Field Guides).

1. this is a great gift for my SO who is interested in collecting these lighters.



2. Don't waste your money on this one. Full of pictures: yes. Info?: no. It's full of pictures of lighters you will never run across. Go with Poore's book.



3. The book was well researched and very well presented. The photography was excellent. For the money, this is a great book and a must have for all Zippo lighter collectors.